During the week of August 11-15, African governments continued the trend of taking control of so-called strategic deposits. Faced with this sovereigntist and, for some, populist wave, major mining companies are mobilizing armies of lawyers while negotiating with states, redirecting their portfolios towards the safest assets, and reducing their presence in less productive segments. In the gas sector, BP, TotalEnergies, Shell, and Chevron are maintaining or adjusting their positions, often favoring offshore acquisitions (less conflictual, more segmented) over onshore. Here is the summary of the week.
Niger – Orano: showdown over an arbitrator
In the dispute between the Nigerien State and the French nuclear group Orano, the composition of the arbitral tribunal is tense. Orano had appointed Colombian lawyer Fernando Mantillo Serrano, alongside Burkinabe-Canadian jurist Sidibi Emmanuel Darankoum chosen by Niamey, and German jurist Maxi Scherer, co-arbitrator-president. But Niger has requested the disqualification of Mantillo Serrano for lack of independence, recalling that he had already chaired an ICSID tribunal that condemned the country in favor of a Scottish provider. The other two arbitrators will decide on his presence.
Niger – Gold under state control
The junta nationalized the country’s only gold mine, withdrawing the operation from Australian McKinel Resources for “failures” and stating its intention to regain control of its strategic resources.
Guinea – GAC/EGA loses its deposit
The Guinean government revoked the license from Emirates Global Aluminium and transferred the strategic site to Nimba Mining Company, a public entity. The owner changes, with the state in pole position.
Burkina Faso – Gold under public control
Five gold mines have been transferred to SOPAMIB, the state company, signifying operational nationalization to the detriment of former private operators.
Barrick Mining – Gold in gold, production down
Barrick benefits from the record price of gold, but production is declining. Loulo-Gounkoto (Mali), still in dispute, remains a political headache. (Owner: Barrick; Authority on the other side: Mali).
Kinross – Thunderous results, sharpened portfolio
Kinross sees its profits rise, while selling off less strategic assets. Objective: to remain in control of its most productive areas.
DRC – New minister, new cobalt deal
Louis Watum Kabamba, formerly of Ivanhoe/Randgold, heads the Mines. He now holds the key to cobalt exports/transformation. Concerned owners: Glencore, China Moly, etc.
Mozambique LNG – TotalEnergies on the verge of a restart
TotalEnergies, with the state and Asian clients, is finalizing the restart of the LNG project valued at ~20 billion dollars. Owner still in the front line.
TA (Senegal-Mauritania) – BP/Kosmos expected
BP (operator) and Kosmos (partner) maintain phase 1 in operation, but phase 2 is delayed, under pressure from national companies Petrosen/SMHPM.
Shell Nigeria – Onshore passed to Renaissance
Shell sold SPDC to Renaissance (2.4 billion dollars). Shell retains its offshore/LNG projects. Significant change of ownership.
Angola – Gas maturing with BP, Eni, Chevron
A vast gas plan benefits consortia like Azule (BP/Eni) and Chevron, positioning Angola as a future regional hub.
South Africa – Total/Shell permit canceled
The South African court cancels an offshore exploration permit granted to TotalEnergies/Shell, ordering them to review socio-climatic studies.
Zambia – Mopani Copper for sale?
Lusaka is expected to decide on the future of Mopani Copper Mines (formerly Glencore), owned by the state, with receipt of serious offers (Sibanye, etc.).
Zambia – India connection on cobalt
The Zambian government has allocated 9,000 km² to an Indian entity to explore cobalt and copper. New owner (explorer), Indian player in the front line.
Zambia – Chinese environmental catastrophe
A tailings dam controlled by a Chinese company collapses, polluting the Kafue River. The company is the owner and responsible.
Egypt – Accelerated mining with foreign investors
The Egyptian state aims for 6% of GDP through the mining sector. Partners: AngloGold Ashanti, Aton Resources, Nubia Mines, co-investment owners.
South Africa – Rand supported by gold
The South African currency strengthens thanks to the rebound in gold prices – an indirect benefit for local producers like Sibanye, Valterra Platinum.
South Africa – Steel tariffs under review
The government is considering imposing customs duties to protect ArcelorMittal South Africa against Chinese imports.
South Africa – New nuclear power plant in sight
The project is progressing: the South African state is launching the construction of a new nuclear power plant in Cape Town. Belgian national owner.
South Africa – Reverse flow renewables
Seriti Green Energy, a subsidiary of Seriti Resources, is building a 155 MW wind farm to power its coal mines. Mixed owner mines/energy.
South Africa – Decarbonizing companies
Ampli Energy (Discovery + Sasol) designs an innovative model: selling green energy on a short-term lease to mining companies (Implats, KP Lime), becoming a virtual energy owner.
Nigeria-South Africa – Pan-African mining pact
Nigeria and South Africa sign an agreement to map together deposits (drone, shared data). United African owners to valorize their resources.
Precious metals and base metals prices
Precious metals:
– Gold (Spot): As of August 15, 2025, the spot price is around 3,337.40 USD per ounce, slightly down by 0.09% daily. According to TradingEconomics, gold is at 3,341.64 USD per ounce, a small increase of 0.18% compared to the previous day.
– Silver: Prices dropped by 1.3% on August 14, but the next day they slightly increased to around 38.02 USD per ounce. HSBC has revised its forecasts for silver: now 35.14 USD/oz in 2025 (compared to 30.28 USD previously), and maintaining an estimated deficit of 206 million ounces in 2025.
Other precious metals:
– Platinum: +1.1% on August 14.
– Palladium: +2% on August 14.
Base metals (e.g. copper, aluminum…):
– Copper: On August 15, its price dropped to 4.46 USD/lb, a 0.24% decrease in one day. Over a month, the decline is 18.69%, despite an annual gain of 7.69%.
Complete annual outlook (2024):
– Gold: +20.30%
– Silver: +14.55%
– Aluminum: +0.70%
– Copper: +0.25%
– Zinc: +5.85%
– Platinum: -13.92%
– Palladium: -20.92%
– Nickel: -13.06%
– Lead: -11.56%
Reference exchanges:
Base metals (aluminum, copper, tin, nickel, lead, zinc, cobalt, molybdenum) are mainly listed on the London Metal Exchange (LME), with limited historical access to the base rate.
